Cable-guided messenger



Dec. 17, 1963 J, L 3,114,334

CABLE-GUIDED MESSENGER Filed July 17, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 1 25 FIG. 3

\ 1N VENTOR Zara a4 4 Dec. 17, 1963 Filed July 1'7, 1962 J. KAHL CABLE-GUIDED MESSENGER I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JOJIfL (14 l United States Patent 3,114,334 CABLEGUIDED MESSENGER Joseph Kalil, 14 Horatio St., New York, N.Y. Filed July 17, 1962, Ser. No. 210,528 17 Claims. (Cl. 1114-113) The present invention relates to a cable-guided messenger. More particularly, the invention relates to a cable-guided messenger adapted to trip or gate instrumentalities beneath the surface of the sea.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cable-guided messenger.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cableguided messenger which is of simple structure but eiiicient and reliable in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which is easily and safely handled by shipboard personnel.

I Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which is easily and safely slipped on the cable with one hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which is easily and safely slipped off the cable with one hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which accurately strike a submerged instrurnentality fully and evenly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which runs down the cable without vibration or shimmy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which cannot jam or seize in being slipped on or off the cable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which does not roll when it lies loose on a surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which does not require extended maintenance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which may be dropped on the steel deck of a ship from a height of six feet without damage.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-guided messenger which may perform one, two, or more, functions simultaneously.

In order that the present invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to th accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the cable-guided messenger of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line IIIllI of FIG. 2, of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1' with the gate member of the messenger in its releasing position;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the gate member of the messenger in its locking position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the gate member of the messenger;

FiG. 7 is a view of another embodiment of the gate member of the messenger;

FIG. 8 is a view of still another embodiment of the gate member of the messenger;

FIG. 9 is a top View of another embodiment of the cable-guided messenger of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of an embodiment of the body portion of the messenger;

FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the cable-guided messenger of the present invention; and

' 'senger freely slidable on the cable.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gate member which may be utilized with the cable-guided messenger of FIG. 12.

In therfigures, the same Components are identified by the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cable-guided messenger comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 11. The body portion 11 is shown in side view in FIGS. 1 and 2, in end view in FIGS. 4 and 5, and in section in FIG. 3. The body portion 11 constitutes a weight and is preferably of a heavy metal, such as, for example, brass or a suitable alloy or metal. 7

The body portion'll has two spaced opposed end surfaces 12 and 13, respectively. A substantially radially extending cable-receiv ng slot 14 is formed in the body portion 11. The cable-receiving slot 14 is formed parallel with the longitudinal extension of the axis 15 of the body portion 11 and extends through said axis of said body portion. The cable receiving slot 14 extends from one of the end surfaces 12 and 13 to the other.

The area 16 of the cable-receiving slot 14 in the vicinity of the axis 15 of the body portion 11 is rounded so that a cable may readily be positioned therein with the mes- The messenger is readily slipped on the cable by aligning or paralleling the axis 15 of the body portion 11 with the cable and moving said messenger so that the cable passes through the cablereceiving slot 14 from the outside surface 1'7 of said body portion to the axis area 16 of said slot. The messenger is readily slipped oil the cable by being moved so that the cable passes through the cable-receiving slot 14 from the axis area 16 of said slot to the outside surface 17 of the body portion 11.

The cable-guided messenger of the present invention is provided with a locking arrangement which enables it to be locked to a cable in the axis area 16 of its cable. receiving slot 14 and to be removed from the cable. The locking arrangement of the cable-guided messenger of FIG. 1 comprises a gate member 13. The gate member 18 is reciprocably mounted in the body portion 11 and is movable between a locking position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, in which it extends into the cablereceiving slot 14, to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in the axis area 16 of said slot, and a releasing position, illustrated in FIG. 4, in which it is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from the cable in said slot.

When the gate member 18 is in its locking position, it extends into and blocks the cable-receiving slot 14, so that a cable in the axis area 16 thereof is confined in said axis area in said slot and the body portion 11 is slidably locked on the cable. The messenger may then slide freely along, on, and guided by, the cable but cannot be removed from the cable without further control; that is, the positioning of the gate member 18 in its releasing position.

When the gate member 18 is in its releasing position, it is withdrawn from and unblocks the cable-receiving slot 14, so that a cable in the axis area 16 thereof is no longer confined in said axis area in said slot and the body portion 11 is readily removable from the cable. The messenger may then be removed from the cable and slipped on another cable but cannot be locked on the cable without further control; that is, the positioning of the gate member 18 in its locking positon.

The gate member 13 is of substantially plate-like configuration and is preferably of a heavy metal, such as, for example, brass or a suitable alloy or metal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gate member 18 is mounted in a longitudinally extending slot 19 formed in the body portion 11 at right angles to the cable-receiving slot 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The slot 19 opens on the cable-receiving slot 14 but does not extend from end surface 12 to end surface 13 of the body portion 11. The slot 19 preferably extends across the body portion 11 at right angles to the end surface 12 to a predetermined distance 21 from said end surface and across said body portion at right angles to the end surface 13 to a predetermined distance 22 from said last-mentioned end surface (FIG. 3). The slot 19 preferably extends longitudinally along the body portion 11 from one of the end surfaces 12 and 13 to the other to a distance which is substantially equal to the width of the cooperating portion 23 of the gate member 18 (FIG. 6).

The gate member 18 has a substantial portion 24 extending beyond the body portion 11 in each of its locking position (FIG. for releasing position (FIG. 4). The cooperating portion 23 of the gate member 18, in the embodiment of FIG. 6 (FIGS. 1 and 3), comprises a pair of spaced extending parts 25 and 26. The extending parts 25 and 26 remain substantially within the boundaries of the body portion 11 in each of the locking position and releasing position. In the locking position, the extending parts 25 and 26 extend perpendicularly across and block the cable-carrying slot 14 (FIG. 5). In the releasing position, the extending parts 25 and 26 are spaced from the cable-carrying slot 14 and are recessed in the body portion 11.

The extending part 25 of the cooperating portion 23 of the gate member 18 has a pair of spaced indentations 27 and 23 formed therein and a linearly extending aperture 29 formed therethrough. The extending part 26 of the cooperating portion 23 of the gate member 18 has a similar pair of spaced indentations 31 and 32 formed therein and a linearly extending aperture 33 formed therethrough. The indentations 27, 28 and 31, 32 are preferably shaped to receive a substantially ball-shaped or hemispherical body, in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

A hole 34 is drilled through the body portion 11 substantially perpendicularly to the slot 19 and to the gate member 18 from the outside surface 17 of said body portion to said slot (FIGS. 2 and 3). The hole 34 is aligned with the indentations 2'7 and 28 of the extending part 25 of the gate member 18 so that when said gate member is in its locking position said hole is directly above the indentation 27 and when said gate member is in its releasing position said hole is directly above the indentation 28.

The inside of the hole 34 is threaded and an adjusting screw 35 is threadedly engaged therein (FIG. 3). A ball 36 is positioned at the bottom of the hole 34 resting on the gate member 18 and a spring 37 is positioned between the adjusting screw 35 and said ball so that said ball is constantly spring biased and urged toward said gate member.

The spring biased ball or element 36 cooperates with the indentation 27 (FIG. 6) of the extending part 25 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 18 to hold said gate member in its locked position and cooperates with the indentation 28 of said extending part to hold said gate member in its releasing position.

Another hole 38 is drilled through the body portion 11 substantially perpendicularly to the slot 19 and to the gate member 13 from the outside surface 17 of said body portion to said slot (FIGS. 2 and 3). The hole 38 is aligned with the indentations 31 and 32 of the extending part 26 of the gate member 18 so that when said gate member is in its locking position said hole is directly above the indentation 31 and when said gate member is in its releasing position said hole is directly above the indentation 32.

The inside of the hole 38 is threaded and an adjusting screw 39 is thrcadedly engaged therein (FIG. 3). A ball 41 is positioned at the bottom of the hole 38 resting on the gate member 18 and a spring 42 is positioned between the adjusting screw 39 and said ball so that said ball is [i constantly spring biased and urged toward said gate member.

The spring biased ball or element 41 cooperates with the indentation 31 (FIG. 6) of the extending part 26 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 18 to hold said gate member in its locked position and cooperates with the indentation 32 of said extending part to hold said gate member in its releasing position.

A hole 43 is drilled through the body portion 11 substantially perpendicularly to the slot 19 and to the gate member 18 from the outside surface 17 of said body portion through said slot and to the opposite side of said slot (FIGS. 2 and 3). The hole 43 is aligned with the linearly extending aperture 29 of the extending part 25 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 18 so that when said gate member is in its locking position said hole is directly above said aperture at the end closest the substantial portion 24 of said gate member and when said gate member is in its releasing position said hole is directly above said aperture at the end farthest from said substantial portion of said gate member (FIG. 6).

The inside of the hole 43 is threaded at least in one part thereof, such as, for example, in its bottom 44, and a pin 45 is threadedly atfixed therein after being passed through the aperture 29 (FIG. 3). The pin 45 is passed through the aperture 29 and guides the extending part 25 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 13 in its movement between locking and releasing position. The pin 45 also prevents the extending part 25 of the gate member from being completely removed from the body portion 11.

A hole 46 is drilled through the body portion 11 substantially perpendicularly to the slot 19 and to the gate member 18 from the outside surface 17 of said body portion through said slot and to the opposite side of said slot (FIGS. 2 and 3). The hole 46 is aligned with the linearly extending aperture 33 of the extending part 26 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 18 so that when said gate member is in its locking position said hole is directly above said aperture at the end closest the substantial portion 24 of said gate member and when said gate member is in its releasing position said hole is directly above said aperture at the end farthest from said substantial portion of said gate member (FIG. 6).

The inside of the hole 46 is threaded at least in one part thereof, such as, for example, in its bottom 47, and a pin 48 is threadedly afiixed therein after being passed through the aperture 33 (FIG. 3). The pin 48 is passed through the aperture 33 and guides the extending part 26 of the cooperating portion of the gate member 18 in its movement between locking and releasing position. The pin 48 also prevents the extending part 26 of the gate member 18 from being completely removed from the body portion 11.

A substantial aperture 49 is formed through the substantial portion 24 of the gate member 18. The aperture 49 is made large enough to receive a gloved finger of a man holding the messenger. The aperture 49 through the gate member 18 thus permits the use of the messenger of the present invention in frigid climates, since it accommodates a gloved finger, and permits the secure gripping of the messenger by the user with one hand thus freeing the other hand of the user to grasp a rail or line during rolling or pitching of the vessel aboard which the messenger is stored. This permits the use of the messenger of the present invention with great safety to shipboard personnel and avoids accidental loss of the messenger or premature slippage of the messenger along the cable guiding it.

The simple structure and operation of the messenger of the present invention permits it to be easily and safely slipped off and on the cable. The messenger requires little or no maintenance and cannot jam or seize in being slipped on or off the cable due to the mounting and operation of the gate member 18. The messenger of the present invention may be dropped without damage, due to its structure and composition.

The gate member 18 functions as a fin, due to its plate-like configuration. The body portion 11 extends at each of its ends 12 and 13 beyond the boundaries of the gate member 18 so that an outside surface with which the messenger collides is abutted by an end surface of said body portion and not by said gate member (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). The gate member 18 in functioning as a fin prevents vibration and shimmy of the messenger as it is guided along the cable. This reduces wear on the cable, the gate member 18 and the body member 11. It insures full and even impact on an instrumentality by an end surface 12 or 13 of the messenger rather than by an edge of such surface.

The fin prevents the messenger from rolling when the messenger lies loose on a surface, such as, for example, a cabinet or box bottom on a table top. Since the tin prevents rolling of the messenger it also prevents the messenger from damaging other objects when the messenger lies loose.

The messenger of the present invention may be hung, when not in use, by use or the substantial aperture 49 through the substantial portion 24 of the gate member 13. A hole for a thin line may be drilled through the body portion 11. Such a hole may comprise, for example, a hole 51 shown in FIG. 11. A thin line may be tied to the body portion 11 by being passed through the hole 51 and may serve, for example, as a retrieving line for the messenger.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a gate member 61 which is similar to the gate member 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 but without the substantial portion 24 thereof. The gate member 61 is thus adapted to remain substantially within the boundaries of the body portion 11 of the messenger in its locking position. Only enough of the gate member 61 extends from the outside surface 17 of the body portion 11 in its locking position to enable it to be held sufiiciently to permit it to be moved to its releasing position. The embodiment of the gate member 61 of FIG. 7 thus enables the messenger to be passed,

through a tube or pipe.

63, indentations 64-, 65 and 66, 67 and linearly extending apertures 63 and 69 which are the same in structure, position and function to the corresponding extending parts 25 and 2d, indentations 27, 28 and 31, 32 and linearly extending apertures 29 and 33 of the embodiment of the gate member 18 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a gate member 71 which is similar to an extending part 25 or 26 of the gate member 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 or to an extending part 62 or 63 of the gate member 61 of the embodiment of FIG. 7. If two gate members 71 are utilized, each may be operated independently of the other, and, both together, or either of them, may be utilized to lock or release the messenger from the cable.

The gate member '71 comprises indentations 72 and 73 and a linearly extending aperture '74 which are the same in structure, position and function to the corresponding indentations and linearly extending apertures of the gate members 13 or 61 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

The positioning and configuration of the indentations and linearly extending apertures of the gate members 18, 61 and 71, may, of course, be varied in any suitable manner and are not restricted to the positions and configurations illustrated in the figures.

The body portion of the messenger of the present invention may be provided with one or more fins additional to the gate member. The additional fins are supported by the body portion of the messenger and extend laterally beyond said body portion. The additional fins may extend radially or non-radially from the body portion of the messenger. The additional fins aid in preventing vibration of the messenger during its slide along the cable and may also be utilized to perform different functions.

IN FIGS. 9 and 10, the messenger comprises a body portion 11' similar except for the additional fins supported by it, to the body portion 11 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The body portion 11' thus has end surfaces 12 and 13', a cable-receiving slot 14', an axis 15', an axis area 16, an outside surface 17' and a gate member receiving slot 19'.

The messenger of FIGS. 9 and 10 also comprises a gate member 18' similar to the gate member 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 6. The gate member 13' thus has a substantial portion 24' having a substantial aperture 4% formed therethrough.

An additional radially extending fin 81 is supported by the body portion 11' and extends laterally beyond said body portion (FIGS. 9 and 10). An additional nonradially extending fin 82 is supported by the body portion 11' and extends laterally beyond said body portion (FIGS. 9 and 10). Any suitable number of additional fins may be utilized, of course.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the additional fins 31 and b2 are shown as extending beyond the end surfaces 12 and 13' of the body portion 11'. These fins may, of course, be made shorter in longitudinal dimension so that the end surfaces 12' and 13 of the body portion 11 extend beyond the boundaries of said body portion. The additional fins, such as 81 and 32, may be of any suitable dimensions laterally or longitudinally and may be mounted fixedly or movably on the body portion 11 to permit said additional fins to perform a number of additional functions including the tripping or gating of instrumentalities below, above, and at radial distances from, the messenger on the cable. The additional fins may also perform different functions on the same instrumentality.

In FIG. 12, the messenger comprises a body portion 11" similar, except for the cable-receiving slot 14- and the gate member receiving slot 19, to the body portion 11 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, or similar, except for the cable-receiving slot 14' and the gate member receiving slot 19, to the body portion 11', of the embodiment of FIG. 9. The body portion 11" thus has end surfaces 12" and 13 (not shown in FIG. 12), an axis 15", an axis area 16 andan outside surface 17".

A substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot 91 is formed in the body portion 11". The cable-receiving slot 91 is formed parallel with the longitudinal extension of the axis 15 of the body portion 11" and extends through said axis of said body portion. The cablereceiving slot 91 extends from one of the end surfaces 12" and 13" to the other.

The area 16" of the cable-receiving slot $1 in the vicinity of the axis 15" of the body portion 11 is rounded so that a cable may readily be positioned therein with the messenger freely slidable on the cable. The messenger is readily slipped on the cable by aligning or paralleling the axis 15" of the body portion 11" with the cable and moving said messenger so that the cable passes through the cable-receiving slot 91 from the outside sur face 1'7" of said body portion to the axis area 16" of said slot. The messenger is readily slipped off the cable by being moved so that the cable passes through the cable-receiving slot 91 from the axis area 16" of said slot to the outside surface 17" of the body portion 11".

The cable-guided messenger of the embodiment of FIG. 12 is provided with a locking arrangement which enables it to be locked to a cable in the axis area 16". of its cable-receiving slot 91 and to be removed from the cable. The locking arrangement of the cable-guided messenger of FIG. 12 may comprise a gate member 92 of FIG. 13.

The gate member 92 is of substantially the same configuration as the shape of the cable-receiving slot 91 and fits into said slot when inserted in said slot through the end surface 12". The gate member 92 includes a ledge or overhanging top portion 93 which extends beyond the body of said gate member and seats or rests on the corresponding ledge 94 formed in the end surface 12 of the messenger around the cable-receiving slot 91. The ledge 94 formed in the end surface 12" of the messenger around the cable-receiving slot 91 is of a depth sufiicient to accommodate the top portion 93 of the gate member 92.

The top portion 93 of the gate member 92 may, of course, be made to extend sufficiently beyond the body of said gate member to permit it to rest on the end surface 12" itself, in which case the ledge $4 formed in said end surface around the cable-receiving messenger may be dispensed with. Since the purpose of the over hanging top portion 93 of the gate member 92 is to hold said gate member in the cable-receiving slot 51, any suitable means, not shown, may be utilized to hold said gate member in said cable-receiving slot after it is inserted therein. Such suitable means may comprise, for example, a threaded recess in the appropriate location in the body portion 11" of the messenger or in the gate member 92 and a corresponding threaded emmber in the-appropriate location in said gate member or in said body portion. Furthermore, the suitable holding means may comprise the holding means utilized with the embodiment of FIG. 1 to hold the gate member in its locking position.

When the gate member 92 is inserted in the cablereceiving slot 91 it locks the body portion ill" to a cable in the axis area 16" of said slot. When the gate member 92 is in its locking position, it fills and blocks the cable-receiving slot 91, so that a cable in the axis area 16" thereof is confined in said axis area in said slot and the body portion 11 is slidably locked on the cable. The messenger may then slide freely along, on, and guided by the cable but cannot be removed from the cable without further control; that is, the removal of the gate member 92.

When the gate member 92 is removed from the cablereceiving slot 91 it unblocks said cable-receiving slot so that a cable in the axis area 16 thereof is no longer confined in said axis area in said slot and the body portion 11 is readily removable from the cable. The messenger may then be removed from the cable and slipped on another cable but cannot be locked on the cable without further control; that is, the insertion of the gate member 92 in the cable-receiving slot 91.

The messenger of FIG. 12 preferably comprises a fin or a plurality of fins as illustrated in, and described with reference to, FIG. 9. The fins are not shown in FIG. 12 to maintain the clarity of illustration.

An advantage of the embodiment of messenger of FIG. 12 is that the axis area 16 may be made considerably larger in diameter than the axis area 16 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 or the axis area 16' of the embodiment of FIG. 9. The larger axis area 16" provides a larger space between the cable and the messenger so that marine organisms which may adhere to the cable do not impede the movement of the messenger along the cable.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and rang of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion; and

locking means including a gate member reciprocably mounted in said body portion and movable between a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably 'lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot.

2. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a Weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion; and

locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably mounted in said body portion and movable between a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, and holding means for holding said gate member in one of its locking position and releasing position.

3. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion; and

locking means comprising a gate member rcciprocably mounted in said body portion and movable between a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, and spring biased holding means cooperating with said gate member for holding said gate member in one of its locking position and releasing position.

4. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion; and

locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably mounted in said body portion and movable between a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate member is Withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, said gate member having indentations formed therein, and spring biased elements positioned in said body portion cooperating with selected ones of the indentations of said gate member for holding the said gate member in its locking position and cooperating with selected others of the indentations of the said gate member for holding the said gate member in its releasing position.

5. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a 3,1 14,38 4 ti I'd weight and having a substantially radially extendthroughout the entire length of said body portion; ing cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably the longitudinal extension of and extending through mounted in said body portion and movable between the axis of said body portion, said slot extending a locking position in which it extends into said slot her is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, and holding means for holding said gate memher in one of its locking position and releasing posithroughout the entire length or" said body portion; 5 to sidably lock said body portion to a cable in said locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably slot and a releasing position in which said gate memmounted in said body portion and movable between her is withdrawn from said slot and permits said a locking position in which it extends into said slot body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said and holding means for holding said gate member in slot and a releasing position in which said gate'memone of its locking posit-ion and releasing position,

said gate member having a substantially plate-like configuration adapted to remain substantially within the boundaries of said body portion in said locking position; and

tion; and retaining means for retaining said gate member in cooperative releationship with said body portion. 6. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping de vice comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting retaining means for retaining said gate member in cooperative rel-ationship with said body portion. 9. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extending a Weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending said gate member and supported by said body porcableare'ceiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion;

throughout the entire lenth of said body portion; locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably mounted in said body portion and movable between mounted in said body portion and movable between i a locking position in which it extends into said slot a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate memslot and a releasing position in which said gate memher is withdrawn from said slot and permits said her is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, slot, and holding means for holding said gate memand holding means for holding said gate member in ber in one of its locking position and releasing posione of its locking position and releasing position, tion, said gate member having linearly extending said gate member having linearly extending apertures apertures formed therethrough and having a substaniormed therethrough; and tially plate-like configuration having a substantial retaining means for retaining said gate member in portion extending beyond said body portion in each cooperative relationship with said body portion, said of said locking position and releasing position and retaining means comprising pins passing through corhaving a substantial aperture formed therethrough responding ones of the apertures formed through in the substantial portion thereof and adapted to receive the finger of a user; and

tion.

7. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending throughout the entire length of said body portion;

locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably retaining means for retaining said gate member in cooperative relationship with said body portion, said retaining means comprising pins passing through corresponding ones of the apertures formed through said gate member and supported by said body portion.

10. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device, comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extendmounted in said body portion and movable between a locking position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said ing cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion, said slot extending slot and a releasing position in which said gate memthroughout the entire length of said body portion; her is withdrawn from said slot and, permits said locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably body portion to be removed from a cable in said mounted in said body portion and movable between slot, and holding means for holding said gate mema locking position in which it extends into said slot her in one of its locking posit-ion and releasing posito slidably lock said body portion to a cablein said tion, said gate member having a substantially. plate so slot anda releasing position in which said gate like configuration having a substantial portion exmember is withdrawn from said slot and permits tending beyond body pontion in each of said said body portion to be removed from a cable in said locking position and releasing position and having a slot, said gate member having indentations formed substantial aperture formed therethrough in the subtherein, and p g biased elements Positioned in stantial portion thereof and adapted, to receive a said body portion cooperating with selected ones of finger of a user; and the indentations or said gate member for holding the retaining means for retaining said gate member in Said g member in s locking Posificn coopera-tive relationship said body portion. operating with selected others of the indentations of 8. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping dethe said g-a-te member for holding the said gate memvice comprising, in combination, her in its releasing position, said gate member hava substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a g, lineaTlY email-ding apar'tm'es formed fllsreweight and having a substantially radially extend i g and having a subsiantiany Plate-like c011- ing cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with figuration having a substantial portion extending the longitudinal extension of and extending through beyond said body portion in each of said locking the axis of said body portion, said slot extending position and releasing position and having a substantial aperture formed therethrough in the substantial said gate member having a substantially plate-like portion thereof and adapted to receive the finger of a user; and

retaining means for retaining said gate member in fin configuration having a substantial portion extending laterally beyond said body portion in each of said locking position and releasing position, said body portion extending at each of its ends beyond the boundaries of said gate member so that an outside surface with which said messenger collides is abuttcd by an end surface of said body portion; and

tion. 11. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a weight and having a substantially radially extendretaining means for retaining said gate member in cooperative relationship svith said body portion. 13. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a ing cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with each extending part of the cooperating portion thereof and having a substantial aperture formed weight and having two spaced opposed end surfaces the longitudinal extension of and extending through 15 and a substantially radially extending cable-receiving the axis of said body portion, said slot extending slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal throughout the entire length of said body portion; extension of and extending through the axis of said locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably body portion from one of said end Surfaces to the mounted in said body portion and movable bet-ween other, said slot extending through the said end sura locking position in which it extends into said slot faces; to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably slot and a releasing position in which said gate memmounted in said body portion and movable between ber is withdrawn from said slot and permits said a locking position in which it extends into said slot body portion to be removed from a cable in said to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot, said gate member having a substantially plateslot and a releasing position in which said gate memlike configuration having a substantial portion ex her is withdrawn from said slot and permits said tending beyond said body portion in each of said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, locking position and releasing position and a coand holding means for holding said gate member operating portion comprising a pair of spaced exin one of its locking position and releasing position, tending part which remain substantially within the said gate member having a substantially plate-like boundaries of said body portion in each of said lockfin configuration having a substantial portion exing position and releasing position, said gate merntending laterally beyond said body portion in each of ber having a pair of spaced indentations formed in said locking position and releasing position, said body each extending part of the cooperating portion thereportion extending at each of its ends beyond the of and a linearly extending aperture formed through boundaries of said gate member so that an outside surface with which said messenger collides is abutted by an end surface of said body portion;

retaining means for retaining said gate member in c0- operative relationship with said body portion; and at least another fin supported by and extending laterally beyond said body portion. 14. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device, comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a therethrough in the substantial portion thereof and adapted to receive the finger of a user, and a pair of spring biased elements positioned in said body portion, each of said spring biased elements cooperating with one of the indentations of the corresponding extending part of the cooperating portion of said gate member for holding the said gate member in its locking position and cooperating with Weight and having tWO Spaced Opposed end Surfaces the other of the indentations of the corresponding a Substantially radially extending cable-receiving extending part of the cooperating portion of the aid slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal exgate member f h ldi th id gatg member i tension of and extending through the axis of said its releasing position; and body portion from one of said end surfaces to the retaining means for retaining said gate member in coother, Said Slot extending through the Said d operative relationship with said body portion, said faces; retaining means comprising a pair of pins, each of locking means Comprising a gate member reciprocably said pins passing through the a-erture formed mounted in said body portion and movable between through the correspe-iiding extending art of the oa locking position in which it extends into said slot operating portion of said gate member and each t0 slidably 100k Said y POTtion to a Cable in Said being supported by said body portion. slot and a releasing position in which said gate mem- 12 A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping deher is withdrawn from said slot and permits said vi om i ing, i bi ti body portion to be removed from a cable in said a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a 510i, and holding means holding Said g member weight and having two spaced opposed end surfaces in one of its locking Position and releasing Position, and a substantially radially extending cable-receiving Said gate mamber having a Substantially Plate-like slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal exfin configuration having a Substantial P tension of and extending through the axis of said tending laterally beyond Said y Portion in a h body portion from one of said end surfaces to the of Said locking Position and releasing Position, Said other, said slot extending through the said end sur- 5 y Portion eXteIlding at each of its ends beyond f e the boundaries of said gate member so that an outlocking means comprising a gate membgr reciprocably side surface with which said messenger collides is mounted in said body portion and movable between abutted by an end Surface of Said y P a locking position in which it extends into said slot retaining means for Tetaining Said g member i C to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said Operative relationship with Said y P and slot and a releasing position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, and holding means for holding said gate member in one of its locking position and releasing position,

at least a radially extending fin supported by and extending laterally beyond said body portion. 15. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a 13 weight and having two spaced opposed end surfaces and a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal extension of and extending through the axis of said body portion from one of said end surfaces to the to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a releasing position in which said gate memslot, and holding means for holding said gate member in one of its locking position and releasing position, said gate member having a substantially platelike fin configuration having a substantial portion extending laterally beyond said body portion in each other, said slot extending through the said end surof said locking position and releasing position, said faces; body portion extending at each of its ends beyond locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably the boundaries of said gate member so that an outmounted in said body portion and movable between side surface with which said messenger collides is a locking position in which it extends into said slot abutted by an end surface of said body portion;

retaining means for retaining said gate member in cooperative relationship with said body portion; and

her is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, and holding means for holding said gate member in 15 one of its locking position and releasing position, said gate member having a substantially plate-like a plurality of radially extending fins supported by and extending laterally beyond said body portion. 17. A messenger for use as a cable-guided tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a fin configuration having a substantial portion extending laterally beyond said body portion in each operative relationship with said body portion; and

Weight and having a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the of said locking position and releasing position, said longitudinal extension of and extending through the body portion extending at each of its ends beyond aXiS Ofsaid y Portion, Said Slot extending thwllgh' the boundaries of said gate member so that an outout the entire length of Said y P and side surface with which said messenger collides is locking means Comprising a gate member mounted in abutted by an end surface of said body portion; Said y Portion and movable between locking retaining means for retaining aid gate member i position in which it extends into said slot to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said slot and a a plurality of other fins supported by and extending beyond said body portion. 16. A messenger for use as a cable-guard tripping device comprising, in combination,

a substantially cylindrical body portion constituting a releasing position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said body portion to be removed from a cable in said slot, said gate member having a configuration substantially the same as that of said cable-receiving slot, and holding weight and having two spaced opposed end surfaces and a substantially radially extending cable-receiving slot formed therein parallel with the longitudinal exmeans for holding said gate member in its locking position, said holding means comprising a top portion of substantially the same configuration as said tension of and extending through the axis of said body portion from one of said end surfaces to the other, said slot extending through the said end surfaces;

locking means comprising a gate member reciprocably gate member overhanging said gate member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,867,678 R b I l 19, I mounted in said body portlon and movable between 1 4 205 1 2 3 2 1 3 27 a locking posltion in which it extends into said slot 2,443,384 Meinzinger Aug 31 1943 to slidably lock said body portion to a cable in said 2 750 13 u I J Stracke June 12, 1956 slot and a rele-asmg position in which said gate member is withdrawn from said slot and permits said FOREIGN PATENTS body portion to be removed from a cable in said 151,705 Germany May 30, 1904 

1. A MESSENGER FOR USE AS A CABLE-GUIDED TRIPPING DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL BODY PORTION CONSTITUTING A WEIGHT AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY EXTENDING CABLE-RECEIVING SLOT FORMED THEREIN PARALLEL WITH THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENSION OF AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE AXIS OF SAID BODY PORTION, SAID SLOT EXTENDING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAID BODY PORTION; AND LOCKING MEANS INCLUDING A GATE MEMBER RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED IN SAID BODY PORTION AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A LOCKING POSITION IN WHICH IT EXTENDS INTO SAID SLOT TO SLIDABLY LOCK SAID BODY PORTION TO A CABLE IN SAID SLOT AND A RELEASING POSITION IN WHICH SAID GATE MEMBER IS WITHDRAWN FROM SAID SLOT AND PERMITS SAID BODY PORTION TO BE REMOVED FROM A CABLE IN SAID SLOT. 